By: John Axtell Posted at: 08/01/2017 03:01 PMWASHINGTON, D.C. - Nebraska's 5-member Congressional delegation has sent a joint to President Donald Trump outlining Nebraska's request for a federal disaster declaration covering 18 counties, including 5 in the Panhandle, as a result of storms that hit the state from June 12th to the 17th.

The storms brought 6 tornadoes, strong winds, and golf-ball-to-baseball-sized hail that resulted in a damage estimate of nearly $13.8-million dollars from public power districts alone.

The Panhandle counties in the disaster declaration request are Sioux, Sheridan, Box Butte, Morrill, and Banner.

The letter from Senators Deb Fischer and Ben Sasse and Congressmen Adrian Smith, Don Bacon, and Jeff Fortenberry reminds the president that approval of the disaster declaration would make federal assistance available to areas affected by the storm and that the federal government has a duty to support the state in its recovery and restoration efforts.

A copy of delegation's letter to President Trump is below.

Dear Mr. President:

We write in support of Governor Pete Ricketts's request for a major disaster declaration, which followed the storms occurring between June 12-17, for the subsequent eighteen Nebraska counties: Banner, Box Butte, Butler, Cass, Cuming, Dodge, Douglas, Fillmore, Gage, Jefferson, Morrill, Polk, Sarpy, Saunders, Sheridan, Sioux, Thurston, and Wayne. We also support Governor Rickett's request for Hazard Mitigation statewide.

The strong winds, including six tornadoes and golf-ball-to-baseball-sized hail, produced extensive damage across the state. Public power districts are reporting damages in excess of $13,780,024. The damage included, but is not limited to: electrical distribution infrastructure and facilities throughout the affected areas, public and private property severely damaged by large hail, public and private structures destroyed or severely damaged by straight-line winds and tornados, injury and death to livestock, and irrigation systems damaged or destroyed.

As our communities recover and rebuild, the federal government has a duty to support our state with its restoration efforts.